WARE — The cause of Tuesday's predawn fire that displaced several people from their home at 41 Sherman Hill Road has yet to be determined, according to Ware Fire Department Chief Thomas Coulombe.

The Reynolds family reported the fire at about 2:30 a.m. The house, located on 1.6 acres east of the Swift River Wildlife Management Area in rural West Ware, was destroyed in the blaze.

"We have nothing left other than the clothes on our back," Don Reynolds, the homeowner, said in a telephone interview Tuesday night.

"My son, Josh, woke up very hot; came up the stairs yelling there's a fire in the basement. We got everybody out of the house. If he hadn't felt the heat, we would all be dead," said Reynolds, who bought the house in 1988 for about $100,000.

"Five minutes after we got out the door, the house was fully engulfed," he said

Seven people were sleeping inside the house when the fire broke out, including Reynolds, his wife, Julie, their 26-year-old son, their 23-year-old daughter, Ariel, and their 4-year-old, grandson, Josh Jr. Julie's parents were also there, according to Reynolds.

The family's dog, Madison, and five of their six cats made it out alive. However, a 7-year-old gray-and-white cat with white paws named Little One was still missing as of 6 p.m. Tuesday.

"All we know is my son woke up to see flames; we don't know how it started," Reynolds said.

Coulombe said a resident sought medical attention at a hospital, but he didn't specify which one. A firefighter also sustained a minor injury at the scene, he said.

The chief said the single-family home with attached in-law apartment sustained up to $150,000 in damage and cannot be repaired. "The building inspector has condemned it," Coulombe said at the scene.

Officials confirmed the fire broke out in the basement before spreading throughout the structure, which is expected to be razed. The main part of the house was gutted by flames, but much of the in-law apartment still stands – albeit with a partially collapsed roof.

The cause is under investigation by Ware fire and police and state troopers assigned to the office of Massachusetts Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan.

Ware firefighters were assisted by fire crews from several surrounding communities, including Belchertown, Bondsville, Palmer and Warren.

Reynolds said he has insurance coverage. For now, he said, family members are staying with various other relatives. "We will regroup and we will be back where everybody needs to be," Reynolds said.